The Immaculate Collection

Before motherhood, the film roles, and the yoga obsession, Madonna was a pop star, and this greatest-hits collection chronicles her rise to fame (or infamy) and fortune. Most of these 17 tracks will be familiar to anyone who lived in America during the '80s: "Lucky Star," "Borderline," "Like a Virgin," "Material Girl," "Papa Don't Preach," "Like a Prayer," "Express

Overview

Before motherhood, the film roles, and the yoga obsession, Madonna was a pop star, and this greatest-hits collection chronicles her rise to fame (or infamy) and fortune. Most of these 17 tracks will be familiar to anyone who lived in America during the '80s: "Lucky Star," "Borderline," "Like a Virgin," "Material Girl," "Papa Don't Preach," "Like a Prayer," "Express Yourself," and "Vogue." They are, unquestionably, defining songs of the era. They are also the work of a woman as skilled at creating a catchy pop melody and developing a cutting-edge sound for it as she is at manipulating the media. During an early '80s appearance on "American Bandstand," Dick Clark asked Madonna about her future plans, and she responded, "To rule the world." These songs are the cornerstones of her kingdom.

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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Thomas Erlewine

On the surface, the single-disc hits compilation The Immaculate Collection appears to be a definitive retrospective of Madonna's heyday in the '80s. After all, it features 17 of Madonna's greatest hits, from "Holiday" and "Like a Virgin" to "Like a Prayer" and "Vogue." However, looks can be deceiving. It's true that The Immaculate Collection contains the bulk of Madonna's hits, but there are several big hits that aren't present, including "Angel," "Dress You Up," "True Blue," "Who's That Girl," and "Causing a Commotion." The songs that are included are frequently altered. Everything on the collection is remastered in Q-sound, which gives an exaggerated sense of stereo separation that often distorts the original intent of the recordings. Furthermore, several songs are faster than their original versions and some are faded out earlier than either their single or album versions, while others are segued together. In other words, while all the hits are present, they're simply not in their correct versions. Nevertheless, The Immaculate Collection remains a necessary purchase, because it captures everything Madonna is about and it proves that she was one of the finest singles artists of the '80s. Until the original single versions are compiled on another album, The Immaculate Collection is the closest thing to a definitive retrospective.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

This album is #1 in my book, it has so many fabulous songs on it, that picking a favorite is completely impossible. I have never regretted buying it and neither would anybody else. Long live the Queen Madonna!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Released at the peak of Madonna's reign as the Queen of Pop, the Immaculate Collection is a must have hits package for fans of the chameleon-like songstress. Opening with the joyous dance track "Holiday," this album covers the tracks that stunned, shocked, and ultimately made Madonna into the legend she is today. "Lucky Star" and "Borderline" are timeless classics, that anyone old and young can appreciate. Shocking but satisfying, the infamous hit "Like a Virgin" is here too, of course, shiny and new as it was some 20 years ago. "Material Girl" is a conceited-turned-wiser piece that shows Madonna at her prime, rich in experience indeed, especially in her career at that point. Other top tracks (for me, my favorites, since I love almost every track) are the burning and haunting "Live to Tell," the stylish and sleek "Vogue," and the Vision Quest ballad "Crazy For You." As it has been said by various reviewers and critics, not every hit is here, but it is surely enough to please fans old and new (although I do believe they could have replaced the two then-new tracks "Justify My Love" and "Rescue Me" with "Who's That Girl" and "Buring Up"). I personally think this is one of the TOP 5 albums of all time, I always have it on.. and I grew up with the music, 20 years after they were initial hits! A+

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I bought the Truth or Dare video before I bought the Inmaculate Collection CD. I thought that the live versions were really cool,when I bought the cd it had a sticker on it that said: Same versions as B.A. tour. Naturally I bought it right away. To my, suprise the versions in the album were nothing like the live tour, but I still thought it was a great buy. I specifically bought the: Royal Box set, which was a limited collectors edition. All and all I agree that it was a necessary buy. The booklet had a nice story. Raul C.Q.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

I think that everyone who enjoys Madonna's music should buy this album. It is totally awesome, all the songs are so good. I can listen to this CD over and over and over again. I think that everyone should own this CD!

58tbird

More than 1 year ago

For all of you ultimate 80's fans, you can't go wrong with this CD. It is the best of her early work.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This CD is amazing. It is by far Madonna's best!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

All the songs on this CD is fantastic, it is filled with wonderful Madonna classics, she really knows how to pick really great songs, I can really listen to this whole CD without skipping of any songs, so if you are a Madonna fan, and you don't have this CD, go out and get it, because this is a must have for any ones collection.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This CD is one of the greatest compilations in history. This first greatest hits album has so much meaning and significance to the era in which it was released . All of the controversial issues that were seen but never heard of, Madonna unvealed in her music. Like a Virgin, Material Girl, Into the Groove are just a few of the many smash hits that this cd collection provides. These were Madonnas prime years where she evolved into the queen of pop. she did a great job chosing the assortment of smash hits on the record. A good variety of digitally restored dance music. It is a great cd to listen to and i highly reccomend this cd to anyone that is a madonna fan.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This album is one of Madonna's best to date. To me, VOGUE, PAPA DON'T PREACH, MATERIAL GIRL, and LA ISLA BONITA are the best songs on this wonderful collection of hits by Madonna. I suggest (if you are a Madonna fan, or a plain dance/pop genre fan) you should buy this album. It's one of the best albums of all time, no doubt.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Excellent collection! All the best tracks! All the Madonna classics in 80's. This is the pop music ever! Madonna has beautiful voice and her lyrics are very very sensual. Especially the classics "Like a Virgin", "Open Your Heart" and "Crazy for You" are my favourites.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

Madonna has been around for years! Her songs and style have changed with the times and she still manages to stay famous. This CD had the BEST songs from her yearlier years.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This collection of Madonna's work holds some of her best songs. Her music in this collection will suit the listeners' various emotions and moods. Whether you want to listen to a latino style in her 'La Ista Bonita' or just party with 'Holiday' it's all available in this collection.

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This CD definitely ROCKS!!! It would have been nice if EVERYBODY was on it, but it's still totally awesome without it. I recommend this to any Madonna fan that likes some of her earlier music that really first made her a huge success. Songs like Express Youself, Vogue, Like A Prayer, and Justify My Love are just some of the absolute wonderful songs.